Saturday, June 25, 2011

From the Straits Times: What do you think DPM Teo means when he says a president has to be ... a "unifying factor at a higher level for all Singaporeans"?

Reply: I also agree that the President should be a unifying factor for all Singaporeans. This statement was first made by Dr. Tan Cheng Bock and I am happy to share the same sentiment.

I believe that Singaporeans can be unified by sharing similar values. I want to encourage them to embrace the values of values of honesty, fairness, positive attitude, courage and public service. Many people have told me that they like these values and are happy to support them.

My actions will be guided by these values. For example, I want to be honest and positive in expressing the concerns expressed by many Singaporeans about safeguarding their CPF savings and the reserves of Singapore. I want to help to address their concerns can be addressed in a constructive way. One way is for the President's Office to issue an annual report that the citizens can understand. This will help in the communication and educating the citizens.

I also shared my views about public service - to address the concerns expressed by many Singaporeans about the high salaries earned by the top leaders, including the President. I want them to know that I am not contesting this office for the high remuneration and will be willing to donate a significant part of the President's salary towards charity, if I am elected. (I hope that my personal views on this issue does not cause any discomfort to other government leaders - as I recognise that they have financial needs and priorities that are different from me).

I respect and support the timely action taken by the Prime Minister to set up a review committee to review the salaries of the top leaders and hope that it will, to a large degree, address this concern of the people. I will do my best to get the people to understand and accept the positive actions that are being taken now.

I believe that the people of Singapore will feel engaged, committed and proud to be Singaporeans, if they feel that they have a voice and that it is being heard. I hope that the office of the President can play a part to provide this channel - although I recognise that other channels are also being developed. To support this initiative, I have suggested the concept of the President's personal council - which I will be giving more

Friday, June 24, 2011

Some people commented in some blogs that it would have been better for me to participate in the general election, rather than the presidential election. I like to explain my decision.

I did not want to contest the general election as I did not like to spend time to run a town council, if I were elected. I was also not yet ready to join any of the political parties – until their leaders agreed to merge and build their membership base.

Initially, I did not want to contest the presidential election either. I changed my mind after receiving requests from many people to stand and offer them a chance to vote. (They said that I was one of the few non-PAP people that might be able to get the certificate of eligibility).

After Dr. Tan Cheng Bock expressed interest, I decided also to join in. My reasoning was that it would be difficult for the “powers” to disqualify both candidates but it would be easier for them to find the reason to disqualify a single candidate.

I acknowledge that I do not have the same “class” or “charisma” as Dr. Tony Tan. If that is what the people of Singapore wants, I would be quite happy to lose the election.

I can only offer to the people the chance to vote for a candidate who is willing to listen to the people and reflect their aspirations, have an independent approach to the decisions that have to be made by the President’s office (i.e. does not need to be confrontational to the Government) and able to use my knowledge to safeguard their CPF money and the national reserves.

Some people may prefer some other candidates and not me, but that is all right. There is really no need for them to insult me or smears my character or reputation. (I refer to defamatory remarks and smears posted against me in some blogs or websites or being circulated by e-mail. I hope that right minded people will stop these bad behavior.)

A comment:TKL will forever be the foremost servant of the Citizens. The others may be servant now but your Master later upon being elected just like their past political cohorts have amply demonstrated. SO VOTE FOR THE TRUE ELECTORATE SERVANT, TKL.

If you wish to know about my statements issued in connection with my candidature, please go to www.easyapps.sg/tklep and click on the "Information" tab. If you wish to make a donation or send an endorsement, you can click on the appropriate tab at the website. Thank you for your support.

I am glad someone has seen through Dr Tony Tan's proposed candidacy. He held the first key for a long time until he relinquished it very recently with a view to getting hold of the second key. Will a holder of the first key, should he be elected the President and become the holder of the second key, uncover his own past sin (if any) while being the holder of the first key? Do Singaporeans want to give a past holder of the first key the second key now and be none the wiser? Singapore needs to make a different choice!LXH

Dear Mr. Tan

Dr. Tony Tan as Elected President is like appointing the Chief Financial Officer of a company after his immediate resignation to become its External Auditor. What do you think?

Over the past few days, several citizens have expressed concern on the stand taken by the Singapore Police Force regarding the disposal of a bomb found in a private property. The Police had expected the owner to engage a private contractor to remove the bomb.

A few months ago, a citizen shared that he had lodged a report to the Police about the loud noise made by a specific car regularly in the early morning. Instead of dealing with the noise, the Police asked him to lodge the complaint to the Land Transport Authority (who was in charge of the roads) and if, it no action was taken, to report to the Environment Agency (for noise pollution).

A week ago, the media was abuzz with the public uproar over the high prices indicated by the private developers of the Centrale 8 DBSS project at Tampines Central. The public was particularly upset over the government's explanation that DBSS is not HDB and that pricing is the prerogative of the private developers.

Concerns of the citizens
These examples point to four major areas of concern, which I share:-

Fragmentation of the government duties: it seemed that some government agencies are unwilling to deal with an issue that falls on the margin and are trying to push the responsibility to another agency

Deterioration of standards: There will be a drop in standards, especially in security and safety, if important matters are not properly attended by the government

Higher cost to the citizens: When citizens are expected to engage the private sector to carry out services that could be more efficiently handled by the public sector, the total cost must increase.

Breach of Social Contract: Having collected taxes and levies and being elected by the people, there is the expectation that the government will deliver the appropriate services to the people, instead of pushing back to them.

Role of the Government
I echo the sentiments of the citizens and ask the Government to recognize its duty to provide the appropriate level of public service in an efficient manner and reduce the overall cost of the nation.

I also ask the various government agencies to work together in a coordinated manner to carry out these duties. Where the responsibility is not clear, it is better for the agencies to sort out the matter internally, rather than push the problem to the citizens.

Dear Mr. Tan,Many people consider Dr. Tony Tan to have the "Presidential" image. I wish to point out that President Nathan also had that image for the past 12 years.
While it is good for Singapore, this are other important duties of the office as well. It is now time to have a fresh image, of a President that reflects the aspirations of the people.

Mr, Tan, you can bring a fresh new image to the office, and I urge you to stand for the election, and not be deterred by Dr. Tony Tan's "Presidential" image, as many of my friends like to see a change.

Someone pointed out to me that Dr. Tony Tan was involved in holding the first key, i.e. to invest the money of the GIC. It will be difficult for him now to hold the second key- as it is a conflict of interest. There is merit in this argument although it may be possible for Dr. Tony Tan to be independent in his approach when he changes his role. But it is a difficult question for the voters to decide if this is possible.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

I appreciate the many spontaneous responses of many people offering to support me in the Presidential Election campaign. Please provide your particulars in this form, so that my campaign director can contact you. I apologise for the lengthy form, as the information is needed for the planning of the activities. Thank you for your support.

I welcome the decision by Dr. Tony Tan to contest the Presidential Election. His participation will give a wider range of choices for the people of Singapore.Dr. Tony Tan has been closely connected with the PAP Government for about 20 years. He had served as a cabinet minister in many ministries during his illustrious political career and had been closely associated with many of the policies that were implemented by the Government. He would represent a good choice for Singaporeans who prefer to see continuity in the past and current policies of the Government.I will participate in the election to offer a different choice to the people. I have never served as a Member of Parliament or a Cabinet Minister in the Government. Over the past years, I have expressed my views on many occasions in the media and through other channels on issues concerning the livelihood and welfare of the people.I believe that I am in closer touch with the ordinary people in Singapore and can get a better sense of their views and aspirations. I would be able to reflect these aspirations in exercising the powers of the President in safeguarding the assets and the CPF savings and other duties of the office. In particular, I would be able to provide a different perspective and act independently of the Government in the decisions that have to be made by the President. In carrying out these duties, I will be guided by my values of honesty, fairness, positive attitude, courage and public service and by the views of the people that I will actively seek.
Tan Kin Lian

President Ong Teng Cheong was the founder Patron of the Singapore Dance Theatre. He asked me to serve in the Board of Directors of SDT. I held this position for more than 10 years but retired a few years ago.

President Ong promoted the Singapore Dress (based on the Orchid motif). He is willing the orchid motif dress. The other people in the picture are Daniel Teo (director) and Goh Siew Khim (founder and artistic director).

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

I expect the budget for the election campaign to be $100,000 to $200,000. I will personally contribute to a significant part of the expenses, but I like to give the chance for my supporters and well wishers to have the opportunity to take a stake in the future of Singapore. I invite you to make a donation here.

Someone made this observation. The two Dr.Tans will split the 60% pro-PAP vote and get 30% each. TKL will get the non-PAP vote of 40% and win the election. But other people think that that Dr. Tan Cheng Bock will be able to attract the non-PAP vote as well, and win with 50%! Right now, he is leading the latest poll. What do you think?

Someone saw the photos of me with Chiam See Tong at this appreciation dinner organised by The Online Citizen. He asked if I am giving the message to be pro-opposition and anti-PAP. I replied to him that he should see issues in a wider perspective and focus on the positive. I like to explain this concept.

I attended the appreciation dinner on the invitation of the organizers (but decided to pay for the tickets as the organizers needed to defray their expenses). I see the positive aspects of Chiam See Tong - courage, perseverance and a love for Singapore. I shared these values.

When the NSP and SDP asked me to speak at the election rallies, I accepted. I was able to share some of their values and spoke on these positive points. I also wanted to speak for my friends, Goh Meng Seng (NSP) and Tan Jee Say (SDP) and focus on their positive points. I will let their opponents talk about their negative points (of which I am not aware of any).

If the PAP were to invite me to speak at their rally, I would also have accepted. There are positive points to speak about the PAP as well, i.e. what they have done for Singapore, their honest attempts to address some of the issues of concern to the people, etc.) They also have their negative points, but if I were their guest, it would be inappropriate for me to talk about the negative points (and in any case, I do not wish to judge them).

Talking about the positive points of any person is being positive and also being honest. We have to accept that each person has positive and negative points and that no person is perfect. We do not need to focus on the negative, when we have the chance to focus on the positive.

Most importantly, we should avoid labelling a person as pro-PAP or pro-Opposition. Each of us should be guided by our values and should use these values to promote the positive aspects of other people (if they share similar values).

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I am from The Straits Times. DPM Teo made some comments on the elected presidency at an event today and we are running a story about some things he said. Getting reactions from the ground and from the candidates, hope you can help answer some questions.

Here's a transcript of what he said:"Well I will make three points about the presidential elections. First of all, I think we should be clear on what the role of the president is. So that when we are clear what the role of the president is, we will be able to more likely elect the correct person. "Secondly, we should conduct any presidential election campaign in a dignified way because this is after all the highest office in the land. I am glad to see that thus far the various candidates have done so in this way. So I think we should maintain that type of tone and make sure that the election is conducted in a dignified way. It's not exactly like the general elections. "Thirdly, the point I'd like to make is that this is not the general elections. I think electing an MP is different from electing a president. When we are electing a Member of Parliament, we want somebody who is active and on the ground and working with the residents.The president, I think, has a different role to play - he needs to be measured and considered and at the same time, also be a unifying factor at a higher level for all Singaporeans. So third of all, we need to understand the different roles the president plays from a Member of Parliament, and then have a good dignified election, select the right person to be the president, it is very important for us.

I attended the appreciation dinner for Chiam See Tong last night. He has been active in politics for 35 years and, like J B Jeyaretnam, was a "beacon for democracy" in Singapore. It is an impressive record and showed a man of conviction, determination and love for Singapore. Admirable.

Dear Mr. Tan,I also hope for a President who will truly promote an inclusive society which does not over-emphasise elitism, status and wealth.

Last but no least, I believe a President will be a face of Singapore, besides the Prime Minister and his cabinet, with which the international community will respect and relate. I recalled you have held top positions in international insurance bodies in the past so I believe you will be able to fulfil the role of the President of Singapore well.

Here are the facts from www.tankinlian.comFrom 1992 to 1997, I was the chairman of the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation, an international organisation representing 123 insurance groups in 65 countries. (www.icmif.org). The total assets of the members of this international federation totalled USD 1.5 trillion (which is probably larger than the total reserves of Singapore). They employed a total of 260,000 people. More details can be found here: http://www.icmif.org/who-we-are

In this article, the writer points out the many promises that the Government has made before and after the election. The projects will cost a lot of money and need to may draw down on the past reserves. It is important for the elected President to be able to scrutinize which projects are necessary and good for the people, and which are unnecessary and waste of money. Do you agree?